504 Democratic Club: Questionnaires (Candidate for State Senator Shirley L. Huntley's 2008 response)

Candidate Name: Shirley L. Huntley

Candidate for State Senate District: 10

Campaign Name: Shirley L. Huntley For New York State Senate

Campaign Address: 120-23 171st Street, Jamaica , NY 11434

Campaign Manager: Herbert Huntley

Phone: 718 - 712 - 2626, 917 - 541 - 4326

Fax: 718 - 712 - 7028

Email: slh629 @ aol.com

Previous elected offices held: New York City Community School District 28

Previous appointed offices held: New York City Educational Advisory Committee

Key endorsements to date: 1199, UFT, CSA, Working Families Party, 1500

Community organizations: Local Community Organizations in Southeast Queens

Political leaders:

Congressman Gregory Meeks
Senator Malcolm Smith
Assembly Member Vivian Cook
Assembly Member William Scarborough
Councilman Leroy Comrie
Councilman Thomas White
and, the District Leaders in the 10th Senate District

Local community leaders:

Rev. Norris
Bishop Moore
Rev. Simmons
Rev. Baston
Rev. Caviness
Rev. Curry

Labor:

1199 SEIU
1500
UFT
CSA
Veterans' Rights

ACTION SHOWS COMMITMENT!
1. While in public office/prior to this campaign, what have you accomplished in regard to advancing disability rights? This can include work towards accessible housing, transportation, employment, health care, education, and including people with disabilities in the political process?
  
  I have met with organizations advocating people with disabilities to discuss the aforementioned categories mentioned so that the introduction of new bills will encompass laws to protect the rights of persons with disabilities.
2. Will you commit to only attend and/or sponsor events that are accessible to people with disabilities including providing written materials in alternate formats, providing assistive listening systems, and sign language interpreters as well as ensuring that locations are physically accessible?
  
  As a New York State Senator, I will attend events that will promote a positive impact for all New York State citizens.
GENERAL QUESTIONS:
1. What personal and professional experience have you had with people with disabilities in your personal life and in the workplace?
  - I had the honor of serving as primary provider and caregiver for my grandmother, mother and aunt over an extended period of time until their demise.
  - As ranking member on the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Committee, I review data submitted by various state agencies that provide service to people with developmental and mental health issues.
  - In addition, I served as a member and chair on NYC Community District Education Council 28 and appointed by Queens Borough President, Helen Marshall to the Educational Advisory Committee to ensure quality education for all students.
2. Are you willing to hire and to provide reasonable accommodation (e.g. flex or part time) for staff members with disabilities?
  
  Yes.
3. How will you work closely with the disability community to assure passage of vitally needed legislation through the State Legislature? What will be your strategy?
  
  My goal is to work closely and diligently with organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities by promoting legislature that will enabled them to participate in their daily routines and enhance their lives.
CIVIL RIGHTS
1. What will you do at the State level to reverse the negative impact of recent decisions in Federal Courts which are undercutting the powers of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 to protect the civil rights of people with disabilities in New York State?
  
  I will review current recent decisions rendered by the Federal Courts that adversely impact the powers of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and introduce legislation at the State level that their civil rights are protected.
2. How would you change the laws of New York State to protect the rights of its citizens with disabilities?
  
  I will introduce bills to ensure that measures are in place to monitor, implement and enforce the right citizens with disabilities.
MEDICAID

While the State is focused on reducing the costs of Medicaid and other programs, persons with disabilities need to continue to have access to the services and supports they need and choose.
1. Would you oppose proposals which would negatively affect eligibility, benefits, coverage, and/or access to services for Medicaid beneficiaries and eliminate the systemic bias that leads to unwanted placement in nursing homes and other institutions?
  
  I will oppose any laws that negatively impact eligibility, benefits, coverage, and/or access to services for Medicaid beneficiaries. Neither will I support laws that implement systematic bias that leads to unwanted placement in nursing homes and other institutions.
2. Would you seek to promote comprehensive long term care reform that will not reduce coverage or access to services?
  
  Yes.
3. Would you increase rental/housing subsidies to participants in the new Nursing Facility Transition and Diversion Medicaid waiver program?
  
  Yes.
HEALTH INSURANCE
1. Timothy's Law was designed to end health insurance discrimination by enacting parity in coverage for people with biologically-based psychiatric disabilities. However, returning veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are not covered. Do you favor amending Timothy's Law to provide coverage for PTSD?
  
  Yes.
2. Under Kendra's Law, a state-funded Medicaid grants program was established to provide medications for eligible individuals with psychiatric disabilities upon release or discharge from institutions to eliminate some of the problems associated with the Medicaid coverage gap. Do you support Medicaid Presumptive Eligibility legislation which would eliminate the standard 45 days coverage gap that blocks access to treatment?
  
  Yes.
3. Would you expand Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage program (EPIC) to provide the same level of eligibility and coverage to persons with disabilities under age 65?
  
  Yes.
HOUSING
1. We are in the midst of a housing crisis. Accessible, affordable housing is in short supply. People with disabilities are being priced out of the market. Do you support the creation of a housing trust fund for persons with disabilities?
  
  Yes.
2. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires housing developers to set aside a certain percentage of accessible units for persons with disabilities when federal funds are used for construction. Do you favor incorporating these provisions into State law so that the Dept. of Housing and Community Renewal can be empowered to enforce these provisions?
  
  Yes.
3. Visitability sets guidelines to ensure newly constructed multi-family dwellings have basic accessible/adaptable features to permit people with disabilities can visit, and for residents to "age in place," without having to move out when age and/or disability set in. Do you support incorporating the concept of "visitability" in the New York State Building Code?
  
  Yes.
4. What is your position on expanding DRIE (Disabled Rent Increase Exemption) to have the same income eligibility limits as SCRIE (Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption)? Currently SCRIE's income cap is $27,000, while DRIE's is $18,600.
  
  Yes.
VOTING ACCESS & HAVA

With the recent decision to acquire voting machines that attempt to meet the accessibility standards of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), many poling places in New York State remain inaccessible to persons with disabilities. Do you favor the elimination of provisions in Section 4-104 (1-a) of the NYS Election Law allowing waiver of polling place accessibility standards?

No.
EDUCATION
1. Despite Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, students with disabilities face problems when pursuing higher education. These statutes do not specify how students should request accommodations or assistance in asserting their rights under the law. Will you support a fully funded office of disability services on each SUNY and CUNY campus to assist students with disabilities in securing accommodations?
  
  Yes.
2. How do you propose dealing with a school district that deny civil rights to disabled students even after the State Division of Civil Rights affirms the student's rights such as to use an assist animal?
  
  Yes.
TRANSPORTATION
1. Do you favor an expansion of accessible transportation options for people with disabilities in NYS?
  
  Yes.
2. Will you support Assembly Member Kellner's proposed bill requiring NYC to transition to a 100% accessible taxi fleet?
  
  Yes.
3. Do you support legislation requiring car services, and all shuttle services to purchase wheelchair accessible vehicles or otherwise ensure that they have the capacity to serve persons with disabilities?
  
  Yes.

Date: August 3, 2008

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